Osprey - Ariel AG 65 Pack - Women's

I have tried a variety of packs over the years, from Gregory to Deuter, and this Osprey pack is my FAVORITE. Not only is it highly adjustable--I'm 5'2" and bought an xs frame and hip belt--it really is a dream suspension. My first trip out into the Soda Mountain Wilderness with a crew of 11 students, carrying WAY more gear than I ever carry on my personal expeditions, this pack made it easy. I could not believe how comfortable it was. Even after nine miles making considerable elevation gains, this pack, despite being loaded to capacity, held true and did not cause hot-spots or soreness from having to cope with the former. I am an Osprey convert. The day I bought this, it was on mega sale and I feel so lucky, but I would hands-down buy this again at full-price if it meant having a pack that was THIS comfortable.

This backpack has made a huge difference in my backpacking trips! I feel like a new person hiking with this on! It is lightweight, organized, and stream-lined. I love the way it feels on my back. I am so happy with this product I would recommend it to everyone! I have the red and it is sleek and catchy!

The first thing I noticed was how the pack conformed to my body. I had borrowed a pack last year, and the whole time we were in the mountains, I felt very uncomfortable wearing it. This pack is built for women, and it feels like it becomes a part of you when you put it on. I was wearing it around the house when I brought it home, and I actually forgot I was wearing it - it feels so natural. Overall, the fit is my favorite part. The many cool features of the pack are just a bonus for me!

Ladies if you're new to backpacking or even just looking for a new pack, this is the one you want. For a 5' 7", 145 lbs, beginner backpacker, I couldn't ask for a better companion. The shoulder and hip straps are so comfortably padded, its easy to get into and I loved having the outer pocket with the stretchy fabric to stuff my chacos and book into when I knew I would want them later!

I agree with the last reviewer. Go in to get fit! As I am backpacking through Mongolia I had to really find the right pack. I went in to get fit for it and the biggest selling point is that the bag is customizable and not only does REI have an excellent return policy, so does Osprey. It was so much more comfortable than the Gregory after getting the sizing right and having the REI person help me adjust all of the straps. Definitely, a fan if you have curves...

I love this pack! I've now taken it on one short backpacking trip in Colorado and one longer trip to Patagonia. It feels awesome and the weight is very well situated on you with this design. The detachable daypack is so useful and works well - it even has a place to put your hydration reservoir. This was great for switching back and forth between the full pack when hiking between campsites and doing some day hikes in between. I also really love the hip belt pockets, which are great for keeping a couple of essentials handy. The only complaint I have is that it can be quite challenging to get a hydration reservoir in and out of the pack if it isn't totally empty. It's manageable, though. Otherwise, absolutely perfect and I imagine I will be using it for many years to come!

I loved the organizational elements of this pack and the fact that you could customize so much to make it work for you. I loved the hip straps and how well they hugged me. It truly felt like I could walk around with it unbuckled and still support the pack. The one thing that I didn't like (which ended up being the reason I returned it) was the fact that the front of the straps dug into my armpits/chest. I think for someone who has a narrower frame, perhaps it could work better, but it wasn't a good fit on me.

I wanted to love it, especially b/c of the versatility of the brain detaching into a full daypack. But the hip belt was SO uncomfortable. I came back and tried it on 3 times, to be sure that it wasn't me, the clothes, or anything else. The Aura is just SO much more comfortable.

Full disclosure, I am deeply loyal to Osprey and have only ever owned Ospreys from my daypacks to backpacking packs. That being said, the AG Ariel is by far the most comfortable Osprey I've owned. I had an older Ariel and the Aura AG before this pack. I found that although the newer Ariel has a slightly higher base weight, it carries the overall weight of your pack so comfortably that weight isn't nearly as much of an issue as with other packs. I love the AG series but found that the design of the Ariel is much more comfortable and moves with your body better than the Aura. I love the zippered front access to the interior of the pack, as well as having the option to stow your hydration system inside or outside of the pack. As far as the convertible lid, I haven't ever used it as a lid or daypack because it is a little weighty for not that much additional space. However, if you were on a trip where you had a backcountry base camp and were day hiking, it might be useful. All in all, the comfort and design of this pack sets it far above the rest in my book. If you need a high capacity pack that can handle the weight while still maintaining amazing comfort, this is the pack for you.

This is by far the most comfortable pack I have ever worn! I don't even feel the need to take it off when having a rest stop. I am 5' 6" and overweight. My torso length required a womens small pack but the womens small hipbelt didn't fit me well. I was thrilled to find the option to easily change out the hipbelt to a womens large size. I had to buy the large hipbelt separately, but REI did refund me for the small one that came with the pack. I find the hipbelt very comfortable even though I didn't bother with the heat molding. The shoulder straps are comfortable, too. Now the pack fits me perfectly. I also really like the detachable lid which is actually very comfortable as a daypack. It smashes flat to fit easily in a suitcase, and I used it on its own extensively on a vacation this summer. I don't use a hydration bag (don't like the plasticky taste), and the lower side pockets fit a standard 32 ounce nalgene water bottle, although sometimes it's easier to ask your hiking companion to get it out for you. Other disadvantages to this pack are that it doesn't have many small outside pockets for organization, it is heavier than some, and it doesn't include a waterproof rain cover, (I had to buy it separately). But I am more than happy to forgive its faults. I just wish that I had bought the next bigger size since the extra weight is very little and then I could've fit my sleeping pad inside rather than strapped on the outside.

I purchased the new pack as a replacement of my old model. I hate the detachable top compartment. It hits you on the back of the head, the waist straps are bulky with barely usable zipper pockets. Probably ok without that top pack. I will exchange for a different Osprey pack.

Love the straps, comfortable on the hips and shoulders, and the included daypack that you can disconnect from the main pack itself. Wished it included a rain cover for the cost of this pack alone, would be perfect!

I sold my Aura AG 50 because of hip bruising and although I was fit it just didn't work for me on a 5 day trek. The size was just to small for a light weight trek versus supplies needed. I replaced it with the Ariel AG 65. This better fits my backpacking style of week long treks. I bought it in red to be more visible for safety reasons. The pack is a bit heavier then I wanted but not enough to turn me off. I field tested the pack in hilly terrain with climbs and drops. The pack stayed nicely in place and did not remind me it was there. I loaded it with 25 lbs of gear and headed out. There was no hip bruising as of the Aura AG 50. I do wish that the belted storage pockets on the hips was longer for stuffing things like a cell phone. It takes a bit of fidgeting to get things in and out while hiking and getting the zippers to function right. I recommend this for a AT through hike or other long distance trek. It is durable and fears of lightweight material (zpac) pack failures do not exist with this pack. I think this pack works well with care taken to save weight with the things you take along for your trek.

I absolutey love this backpack....I love that it has a detachable day bag which is the perfect size as well. Great packed and distributes weight very comfortably

I purchased my Ariel AG 65 Pack for a 5-day backpacking trip after spending countless hours researching packs (and having already tested packs by both Gregory and REI on previous trips) and getting fitted for the right size at REI. Despite that and all the great features, I was ready to pitch my pack off the mountain about half-way through the first day of backpacking. I'm 5'4", 120lbs with slightly wide hips and this pack was extremely uncomfortable for me, particularly around the hips. As a recent reviewer mentioned, this pack is not made for petite women with curves. Other issues were: 1) hip belt pockets were difficult to access (had to fumble with both hands, take the pack or, or ask someone for help); 2) water bottle pocket was impossible to access with the pack on; 3) when we stopped to refill our water reservoirs, I'd have to almost unpack the entire pack just to get the water reservoir back in; 4) the opening for the water reservoir hose is too small. The pack did have great features, however, such as the suspended mesh back panel and removable daypack. But other packs have these features, and they're certainly not worth putting my body through such pain as the Ariel AG caused.

The pack is a beast. Its built well with lots of added features for the carrier

Just got back from a week out with this pack and am very very happy with it. The only suggestion for improvement is that it's quite awkward and borderline difficult to use the water bottle pockets while the pack is on. I settled for a small water bottle on one side - I could pretty much manage getting it in and out without getting a cramp - and putting a big bottle on the other side and a second big bottle in the big pocket on the back. I drank from the little bottle while hiking and used the big bottles to fill the little one whenever I took the pack off. Not a problem for hydration bladder hikers I suppose, but a little difficult for us more old school folks. Other than that, I couldn't be happier with it. It is a bit smaller than my old pack but carries things very efficiently and is orders of magnitude more comfortable. I was able to put a ginormous bear can in it and still carry almost all my other gear. On a regular trip with a standard bear can it would fit all my gear quite nicely. The top-turned-daypack is really nice, although for future consideration, it would be nice if the daypack had an external pocket for a water bottle too. Best of all, this pack is supremely comfortable. The hip belt carries the weight better than I could imagine and requires zero futzing while hiking. Shoulder straps and back configuration are also super comfortable - feels like the pack was made just for me. This was my big gear upgrade this year, and I couldn't have made a better choice.

Avoided the Aura due to the rigid belt only to find this new version of Ariel has adopted the same rigid "must force the belt apart" to get into it struggle. Do like the lighter weight, but it will not hold as much despite its claim. Why? the useless brain. It weighs 12.48 oz. (more than advertised) and is basically a huge wad of fabric balled up behind your head with little carrying capacity when attached to the bigger pack. Basically, you get two separate packs to use whether you want them or not. I wanted a through backpack with a small ultralight day pack to use as a brain for quick access items. This does not work for that. Instead, you get a 50 liter thru pack and a HEAVY school type 15 liter shoulder backpack balled into a pile of fabric to hit your head unless you remove it. What a waste of ounces and investment. It leaves me shopping for a replacement day pack to bring on hikes and I must scale down what I can carry in the 50 liter ariel which is all the main pack will carry. No compartments other than the dump all main chute. Very disappointing. The pockets on the waist belt are larger than my old one, but not large enough to fit my iphone. Another disappointment is they are not conveniently placed. These are halfway behind me so one would have to stop and maneuver with both hands to access either belt pocket. I am not a heavy person. I am 5' 7" 130 lbs. If your arms are 4 feet long, these pockets will work for you. If you are NOT a thru hiker, this pack will work for you. Wish I had instead gotten the Aura. At least the brain is usable.

I've had the same Deva backpacking pack for the last 15 years and it has finally started to give out. Time to replace! The Osprey Arial AG 65 worked wonderfully for a climb up Rainier, fit all my gear well, fit my back excellently and was comfortable. I like the arrangement of the compartments/pockets.

10 mile hike in and out of Havasupai Falls and bag weighed in at about 35lbs and it NEVER bothered me a bit! AMAZING back! Got fitted in the store and so glad I did because this one I knew was the bag for me.

recent design and material changes have made this pack far less useful if you want to access your water and useful stuff pocket be aware you wont have it with this pack

I got this pack for climbing. Here are the huge pros... I loved the features of this pack! The J zipper was perfect for grabbing gear without digging for it from the top. I loved the pockets on the waste. They were perfect for stashing bars, chap-stick and sunscreen. The coolest part was the brain of the pack turned into a small travel pack! Now, for the 'cons'. I have a small waist. I cinched the belt as tight as it would go, but the pack always slipped below my hips. The 'on the fly adjustment' feature Osprey has on other packs would have been such a huge benefit. I ended up holding the pack up most of the time off my hips on long approaches to the cliff. The J zipper was awesome, BUT when you unzipped it, anything you had in the front kangaroo pocket fell out. So, while my gear was easy to grab, I constantly found myself fishing around the ground to collect the things that had fallen out of the front pocket. As mentioned, the brain turned into a day pack. This pack is not equipped with many zipped pockets. It has two pockets on the brain, one of which houses the day pack. I found myself storing everything (headlamp, bite kit, extra layer, hat etc.) in these two pockets, which were not very big. I ended putting my sunscreen in these pockets as well because I was tired of them falling out of the kangaroo pocket in the front. Based on all this, I am very sadly sending this pack back. Thank you REI for your great customer service and opportunity to try this pack out. I have since purchased another Osprey that fits me PERFECTLY...the Osprey Aura AG 65 Pack - Women's Pack! This pack fits my waist perfectly because of the adjustment features. THANK YOU REI!